200 more railway stations to have Wi-Fi in 2017

200 more railway stations to have Wi-Fi in 2017

Thiruvananthapuram: As part of its programme to upgrade facilities for rail users, Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu said here today that 200 more stations and some additional trains would be providedwith Wi-Fi in 2017.

Dedicating six Wi-Fi facilities to rail users at Kannur, Ernakulam and Kollam at a function here, he said 100 stations had been fitted with Wi-Fi this year and the target was to double this number in 2017.
“More trains will also would be provided with Wi-Fi next year,” he said.

“The objective is to have Wi-Fi facility in all railway stations in small cities and towns,” he said.
The Minister said steps were also on to construct escalators in stations, he said.

Welcoming the Kerala government’s decision to sign a Joint Venture with Railways for development projects in the state, he said that as partners, the railways would be developed in the state.

“The Centre and state will have equity in the venture and funds for the projects will be raised through market borrowings with the consent of the state government,” he said.

The resources spent under the JV would be in addition to funds earmarked in the Railway budget, he added.

Stating that investment in railway infrastructure can bring development to its optimum level in Kerala, Prabhu said he had asked some banks to prepare a business plan for the state.
Prabhu admitted that there was a lack of railway investment in Kerala and saidthe NDA government’s move was to reverse that trend.

Referring to remittances to the state from Non-Resident Keralites, he said even they could invest in railway projects.

“They can develop a railway station”, he said, adding that the key objective was to join hands for development.

The Railways was also looking out for resources other than its normal revenue.

They were also looking into the possibility of coverting its hospitals as medical college hospitals, he said.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and G Sudhakaran, PWD Minister and in charge of Railways were among those present.

PTI

Absorption of Diploma Holder as JE-II Case of Diploma Holder progressmen working in RE Organization

No.I/2/Pt.III

Dated:19/12/2016

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Absorption of Diploma Holder as JE-II - Case of Diploma Holder progressmen working in RE Organization - reg.

Ref: (i) NFIR/PNM item No.12/2011 & 24/2012.
(ii) Para 2 of Board’s letter No.2016/E(LR)I/NMI-12 dated 14/12/2016.

Kind attention of Railway Board is invited to the minutes of the PNM meeting of NFIR held on 19/20-12-2014 on the subject matter relating to agenda items No.12/2011 and 24/2012, as reproduced below:-

“Necessary instructions have been issued to concerned Zonal Railways vide Board’s letter No.E(NG)II/2011/RC-3/3/PNM-NFIR dated 22/25.08.2014. Federation was also provided with a copy of the letter.

Federation wanted that GM/RE should be written to fix up responsibility for not complying with Railway Board’s instructions”.

Federation is disappointed to state that though a period of two years has passed, action on Board’s instructions is yet to be taken by the concerned Zonal Railways and the RE Organization.
Further, Federation desires to have particulars of implementation and non-implementation of Board’s instructions dated 22/25-08-2014.

Yours faithfully,
(Dr M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Pay fixation in 7th CPC Pay Matrix level in the case of employees who are in 6th CPC -1S Pay Band (Rs. 4440-7440) + GP 1300

Pay fixation in 7th CPC Pay Matrix level in the case of employees who are in 6th CPC -1S Pay Band (Rs. 4440-7440) + GP 1300-reg.

No. IV/NFIR/7 CPC (Imp)/2016/R.B.

Dated: 22/12/2016

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Pay fixation in 7th CPC Pay Matrix level in the case of employees who are in 6th CPC -1S Pay Band (Rs. 4440-7440) + GP 1300-reg.

Ref: NFIR's letter No. IV/NFIR/7 CPC (Imp)/2016/R.B. dated 24/26-08-2016 addressed to Railway Board.

Federation vide its letter of even number dated 24/26-08-2016 brought to the notice of Railway Board a case non-fixation of pay of staff working in Pay Band-1S/Rs. 4440-7440 in whose favour no orders have been passed for fixation of these staff pursuant to the implementation of the recommendations of 7th CPC. For the purpose the Federation cited Railway Board’s notification issued under RBE No. 90/2016 where there are no instructions for these staff.

In addition to above, Federation proposed to the Board to consider the skills and service experience gained by the staff, presently in- 1S, for considering placement in Level-I (Rs. 18000/-) of the
7th CPC Pay Matrix. Federation feels sad to point out that thereafter a period of over three months has passed there is no feed back with the result the employees have been made to suffer unnecessarily. A copy of Federation's letter dated 24/26-08-2016 is enclosed for reference.

NFIR, thereofore, requests the Railway Board once again to take further necessary action and advise to the Federation only.

Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Benefit of financial upgradation under MACP Scheme to the Pharmacist category-reckoning GP 4200/- (PB-2) as entry Grade Pay for granting financial upgradation under MACPS

Benefit of financial upgradation under MACP Scheme to the Pharmacist category-reckoning GP 4200/- (PB-2) as entry Grade Pay for granting financial upgradation under MACPS-reg.

No. IV/MACPS/09/Part 10

Dated: 22/12/2016

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Benefit of financial upgradation under MACP Scheme to the Pharmacist category-reckoning GP 4200/- (PB-2) as entry Grade Pay for granting financial upgradation under MACPS-reg.

Ref: NFIR’s letter No. IV/MACPS/09/Part 10 dated 30/08/2016 addressed to Rly., Bd.
Federation vide its letter No. IV/MACPS/09/Part 10 dated 30/08/2016 on the subject invited Board’s attention to the O.M. No. 22011/10/84-Estt. (D) dated 4th February 1992 circulated by DoP&T wherein criteria has been laid down vide Para 2.2 to treat the placement of employees on upgradation to higher replacement scale without higher responsibilities or higher qualification but with higher eligibility service as appointment. In the said communication the case of Pharmacist GP 2800/- (PB-1) to GP 4200/- (PB-2) has been cited which is fully covered under the said instructions of DoP&T. The Federation has accordingly requested the Railway Board to review the case afresh and issue suitable clarification treating the placement of Pharmacist to GP 4200/- as appointment. A period of more than three months has passed, unfortunately neither clarification has been issued nor progress on the action taken has been conveyed to the Federation. A copy of Federation’s communication dated 30/08/2016 is enclosed or ready reference.

NFIR, therefore, once again requests the Railway Board to kindly consider the points mentioned in Para 2.2 of the DoP&T O.M. dated 4th February 1992 and issue clarification early to the GMs of Zones etc., so that the staff could avail the benefit of MACPS as a result of reckoning entry into the GP 4200/- as appointment. A copy of the instructions issued may be endorsed to the Federation.

Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)

No. IV/MACPS/09/Pt.10.

30.08.2016

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi.

Dear Sir,
Sub: Benefit of financial up-gradation under MACPS to the Pharmacist category - Reckoning GP Rs.4200/-  PB-2 as entry Grade Pay for granting financial up-gradation under MACPS -reg.

Railway Board’s attention is invited to Para 2.2 of DOPT O.M. No. 22011/10/84-Estt(D) dated 4th February, 1992 which is reproduced below:

"2.2. Where the up-gradation involves a higher replacement scale without higher responsibilities or higher qualifications but with a higher eligibility service, the incumbent need not be assessed for their suitability but it should be ensured that they have completed the requisite qualifying service for appointment to the upgraded post. In case they had completed the qualifying service on or before the date notified by the Government, they may be appointed to the upgraded post from that date. In the case of other who fulfill the qualifying service on a later date, they should be appointed to the upgraded post from the date on which they complete the qualifying service. This would be subject to the condition that irrespective of the date of appointment, the original seniority of the incumbent in the grade prior to up-gradation will be maintained for appointment to the upgraded post".

The Railway Board is aware that those pharmacists who have put in 2 years service in Grade Pay Rs.2800/- (PB-1) were upgraded to the next Grade Pay of Rs.4200/- (PB-2). This up-gradation has to be termed as "appointment" in terms of Para 2.2 of DOP&T O.M. dated 4th February, 1992.

The Railway Board vide letter No.PV/2009/ACP/2 dated 20th April, 2011 addressed to the GMs had however clarified that every financial up-gradation has to be treated as an up-gradation and accordingly placement of Pharmacists in Grade Pay of Rs.4200/- in PB-2 on completion of 2 years regular service in the Grade Pay of Rs.2800/- in PB-1 has been counted/treated as one up-gradation under the MACP Scheme. This clarification of the Railway Board is contrary to Para 2.2 of DOP&T O.M. dated 4th February, 1992. In the said Para 2.2 of DOP&T O.M., it has been clearly stated that where the up-gradation involves only a higher replacement scale without any additional responsibility/higher qualification but with a higher eligibility service, the incumbents need not be assessed for their suitability, but it should be ensured that they have completed the requisite qualifying service for “appointments" to the upgraded post.

The Pharmacists of GP Rs.2800/- (PB-1) have been upgraded to GP Rs.4200/- (PB-2) having fulfilled 2 years service prescribed in the grade pay of Rs.2800/-. Their entry into Grade Pay of Rs.4200/- (PB-2) has to be treated as “appointment” in terms of Para 2.2 of DOP&T O.M. dated 4th February, 1992, thus they are required to be considered for granting financial up-gradations under MACPS.
NFIR therefore requests the Railway Board to kindly review the case a fresh and issue clarification, allowing benefit of MACPS to the Pharmacist category duty reckoning entry into the Grade Pay of Rs.4200/- as “appointment”.

Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Allotment of Type-II quarters to Railway employees in grade pay 1800

Allotment of Type-II quarters to Railway employees in grade pay-1800/-

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(Railway Board)

No.2008/LMB/10/16

New Delhi, dated 18/04/2016

The General Managers,
All Indian Railways and Production Units.
(as per standard list)

Sub: Allotment of Type-II quarters to Railway employees in grade pay-1800/-

Ref: Board's letter No. 2008/LMB/10/16, dt. 27.01.2011.

In continuation to this office letter cited above, on considering the demand of Railway Federation, the Competent Authority has approved allotment of type-II quarters to employees in Grade Pay Rs. 1800/- in case at any location, Type-II quarters are vacant and no one entitled for it is in waiting list, subject to the condition that the license fee shall be liable to be recovered would be of type-II quarters and not as per the entitlement for the employees in Grade Pay Rs. 1800/.

2. This order will come onto force from the date of issue.

3. Rest of the terms & conditions shall be as mentioned in this office letter of even number dated 27.01.2011, cited above.

4. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

(Anurag Tripathi)
Dy. Director/LM(L)-1
Railway Board